Coming live from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea is getting ready to take advantage of a €77 million transfer to Saudi Arabia to secure a lucrative deal for their out-of-favor fan favorite playmaker.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran was linked with Chelsea throughout the summer, but a transfer never materialized. West Ham also showed interest, actively pursuing the Colombian throughout January.

Ultimately, Duran appears to be heading for a less exciting destination—Saudi Arabia. One of the Premier League’s most unpredictable forwards is set to cash in, with Sky Sports reporting that a fee has been agreed, his medical is complete, and all that remains is for him to travel and finalize the contract later today.

This development is a setback for Chelsea, as Duran could have added much-needed dynamism to their attack. However, it also presents an opportunity. Villa are set to receive around €70 million for their backup striker and will likely reinvest in new signings before the transfer window closes on Monday night.

Chelsea could take advantage of Villa’s sudden financial boost to strengthen their own squad. One name that has resurfaced in recent links is Joao Felix. Journalist Ben Jacobs has reiterated that Chelsea “retain interest” in the playmaker, especially with Villa recently selling Emi Buendia, creating a gap Felix could fill.

Securing this transfer won’t be straightforward. Felix joined Chelsea for around £45 million in the summer, and the club is unlikely to accept a loss. However, with his limited playing time and growing frustration, his market value could decline further.

If Chelsea can leverage Villa’s fresh influx of cash to offload Felix, it could prove to be a smart financial move, allowing them to reinvest in a player better suited to making an impact.